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Why Becoming A Father Isn't The End For Your Style

Simple grooming and fashion tips for men raising tiny humans

By
Paddy Maddison

07/06/2019

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Becoming a father changes a man in many ways. Turning him into a style icon is not traditionally one of them.

Granted, it’s not easy to look your best when you haven’t slept for a fortnight and your clothes are spattered in vomit (...or worse). But those days will pass, and when they do, it’s important not to resign yourself to a lifetime of ill-fitting jeans and dodgy combovers.

Contrary to popular belief, being a dad and being stylish actually go hand-in-hand. Don’t believe us? Just take a look at the likes of fashion icon Justin O’Shea, the always impeccably turned-out Ryan Gosling or straight-up style icon Jeff Goldblum for all the evidence you could ever need.

These guys are living proof that fatherhood doesn't have to put the brakes on your style game. And while we may not be able to grant you Gosling’s bone structure or Goldblum’s Saint Laurent-stuffed wardrobe, what we can offer are some expert tips on how to get a grip on your postpartum fashion and grooming.

Embrace Your Bald Destiny

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You’re a proper adult now, with a child and everything. Maybe now would be a good time to do what you’ve been putting off since the first time you looked in the bathroom mirror and noticed your hairline was retreating from battle.

Going bald is certainly no picnic, but it’s certainly a lot easier when you grab it by the proverbial horns and just do what you’ve got to do. Invest in a good-quality set of hair clippers and watch yourself grow in confidence with every wispy bit of hair you shave away.

Wahl has been making some of the best around since the early 1900s. Treat yourself to a set of Wahl's Pro Cordless Clippers and reinvent yourself for the better. Plus, you’ll be amazed at how much money you save in the long run.

Sharpen Up On Beard Maintenance

Wahl Aqua Blade Wet/Dry Stubble & Beard Trimmer

Yes, you’re busier now than you’ve ever been before, but that’s no excuse to start channelling Captain Caveman through your chin. Keeping that facial fuzz in check is vital in order to look your best, and it all starts with having the right tools in your bathroom cabinet.

Wahl's Aqua Blade Wet/Dry Stubble & Beard Trimmer is your most valuable weapon in the fight against unruly whiskers. It has a number of different settings for length to enable you to craft everything from designer stubble to a short, sculpted beard. Just remember to give things a tidy up every few days and you can’t go far wrong.

Find A Core Uniform

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Ordinarily, uniform is the very antithesis of stylishness. However, when it comes to nailing a fatherhood-friendly wardrobe, it’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Of course, we’re not suggesting that you start rocking up to social functions dressed as a firefighter, regardless of how cool your children might think that is. Instead, find basic items that work for you, stock up on them and use them as the foundation for your day-to-day outfits. We’re talking good quality plain tees, Oxford button-downs, some slim-fit selvedge denim, and maybe a pair of Goodyear-welted boots or luxe, leather sneakers.

Experiment With Pieces You Couldn’t Pull Off Before

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Don’t fall into the trap of seeing fatherhood as the threshold for style experiments. It’s quite the opposite. Now that you’re a dad, there are certain pieces you can legitimately play with that a younger, childless you could have only dreamt of.

Baker boy hat? Sure. Waistcoat? Why not. Don’t listen to the naysayers who’ll tell you now is the time to rein things in. If it’s styled purposefully and worn with confidence, there’s no reason you can’t rock it.

Hey, you created an actual human being, we’re sure you can handle wearing a new hat.

Favour Fit Above All Else

As any style expert worth their salt will surely testify, it doesn’t matter how well-made, expensive or designer-branded your clothes are – if they don’t fit, they’re never going to look good.

At no point in life is this sartorial rule of thumb more important to bear in mind than after fathering a child. This is a time when belly fat runs rampant. Diets and exercise take a back seat, meaning wearing things that are flattering is of utmost importance to your style credentials.

If you don’t know how something should fit, go make friends with your local tailor. It’ll be the best thing you’ll ever do when it comes to looking your best.

Grow older and wiser by upping your game with Wahl's selection of hair clippers, beard trimmers and electric shavers – the perfect addition to any man's grooming routine

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